Fluid filter system

ABSTRACT

An endcap including a first plate member including a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portions of the first plate member and projecting axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the flange. The first seal includes a first portion thereof engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface of the flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portion thereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/984,503 filed on Nov. 19, 2007, still pending.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to filters and, more particularly, tofluid filter systems.

BACKGROUND

Cartridge style fluid filters, such as, for example, fuel or lubricantfilters associated with an engine, typically include a replaceablefilter element contained within a canister that is threadingly engagedto the engine. Unfiltered fluid, e.g., fuel or lubricant, is received bythe filter via an inlet port, particulates are removed from theunfiltered fluid via the filter element, and filtered fluid is deliveredto the engine via an outlet port. The filter element often includes agenerally cylindrical filter medium, e.g., fabric or other porousmaterial, supported within the canister via one or more endcaps, suchthat unfiltered fluid flows through the filter medium in a generallyradial direction. An endcap typically supports and/or positions thefilter medium within the canister and with respect to the inlet andoutlet ports. Fluid filters usually also include one or more seals thatsealingly separate the inlet and outlet ports to reduce or eliminateunfiltered fluid from bypassing the filter medium.

Typically, the filter elements of such fluid filters are frequentlyreplaced to reduce pressure drop across the filter medium, avoiddeterioration of the seals, and/or otherwise attempt to ensure the fluidfilter operates as desired. To replace a filter element, the canister isusually unthreaded from the engine, the seals between the inlet andoutlet flows are unseated, the old filter element is removed from thecanister, a new filter element is inserted, and the canister isrethreaded on the engine. An operator replacing a filter cartridge mightprime the canister with fluid to avoid and/or reduce entrapped airwithin the fluid system. This priming fluid is often previously usedand/or unfiltered fluid and priming the canister may require great careto avoid priming fluid from being placed on the downstream side, i.e.,the filtered fluid side, of the filter medium. Additionally, properreseating of the seals, either the old seals or new seals, during filtercartridge replacement is desirable to provide sufficient sealing betweenthe inlet and outlet ports and, thus, to reduce unfiltered fluid frombypassing the filter medium. Unfiltered and/or priming fluid downstreamof the filter medium, either from insufficient sealing and/or fromoperator priming, may result in damage to one or more engine componentsduring operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,140 (“the '140 patent”) issued to Steger, Jr. et al.discloses a filter assembly including an outer seal that forms a sealbetween an outer shell and a filter base and an inner seal that forms aseal between an endcap and the filter base. The filter assembly isthreadingly attached to the filter base via a nutplate that compressesthe outer seal against the filter base. The filter assembly alsoincludes a filter element wherein unfiltered fluid flows from anunfiltered fluid passageway to a radial space between the outer shelland the filter element, unfiltered fluid flows through the filterelement into an inner passageway, and the resulting filtered fluid flowsinto a filtered fluid passageway.

The '140 patent may provide a seal between the filter assembly and thefilter base with the outer seal and may provide a seal to minimize fluidleakage at a connection between the filtered fluid passageway and theinner passage with the inner seal. The '140 patent may, however, requirenumerous components to achieve these seals, complicating the assemblyand alignment that may require precise manufacturing tolerances thereofand/or potential reduce the sufficiency of the seal. Additionally,reconnecting the filter assembly of the '140 patent to the filter base,and the seating of the inner and outer seals, may require a uniquenutplate with specialized geometry to ensure proper alignment thereofwith the filter base and proper resealing and reconnection of the filterassembly.

The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of theshortcomings set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an endcap. Theendcap includes a first plate member including a radial inner portion, aradial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap alsoincludes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portionsof the first plate member and projecting axially along the longitudinalaxis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal memberdisposed adjacent the flange. The first seal includes a first portionthereof engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate memberand a second portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface ofthe flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposedradially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal memberdisposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portionthereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the firstplate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis oppositethe first direction.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatusfor sealingly connecting a filter medium to a filter system including abase, a container, and an outlet. The endcap includes a body including asubstantially ring shaped first wall portion having radial innerportion, a radial outer portion, and a longitudinal axis. The apparatusalso includes a first seal member configured to establish a firstradially facing seal interface with respect to a first radially facingsurface associated with the outlet and having at least a portion thereofdisposed a first axial distance from the filter medium. The apparatusalso includes a second seal member configured to establish a radiallyfacing seal interface with respect to a second radially facing surfaceassociated with the base and being disposed a second axial distance fromthe filter medium. The second axial distance is less than the firstaxial distance.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a filterassembly. The filter assembly includes a filter defining a longitudinalaxis. The filter assembly also includes a first seal member configuredto establish a first radially facing seal interface. At least a portionof the first seal member is axially spaced from the filter a firstdistance. The filter assembly further includes a second seal memberconfigured to establish a second radially facing seal interface radiallyoutward of the first radially facing seal interface. The second sealmember is axially spaced from the filter a second axial distance. Thesecond axial distance is less than the first axial distance.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a filtersystem. The filter system includes a base having an inlet port, anoutlet port, and a longitudinal axis. The outlet port is disposedradially inward of the inlet port with respect to the longitudinal axis.The filter system also includes a container threadingly connected to thebase. The filter system also includes a filter medium disposed radiallywithin the container with respect to the longitudinal axis. The filtersystem further includes an endcap including a first wall member having asubstantially ring shape and at least one aperture disposed radiallyoutward of the first wall member. The filter system also includes afirst seal member connected to the endcap and configured to be radiallycompressed against at least a portion of the base. The filter systemfurther includes a second seal member connected to the endcap andconfigured to be radially compressed against the outlet port.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a filterelement comprising a sleeve defining an interior space and a sleeveaxis, a filter medium surrounding the sleeve, and an endcap attached tothe sleeve. The endcap may include a first member extending across thefilter medium, a sidewall substantially perpendicular to the firstmember and extending in a first direction, an outer wall spaced apartfrom the first member and substantially parallel to the sleeve axis, anda plurality of arms extending from the sidewall to the outer wall. Theouter wall may extend in a second direction away from the filter mediumand opposite to the first direction. The arms and the sidewall and theouter wall may define apertures in the endcap. Each arm may include afin portion extending in the first direction and having first and secondbottom surfaces that together form a first reflex angle.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a filterassembly for a container filter system configured to be received by abase. The filter assembly may comprise a sleeve that defines an interiorspace and a sleeve axis, a filter medium surrounding the sleeve, and afirst endcap. The first endcap may be attached to the sleeve and mayinclude an annular first member covering the top of the filter medium,an annular sidewall oriented substantially perpendicular to the firstmember and covering a portion of filter medium, an outer wall spacedapart from and encircling the first member, a plurality of armsextending from the sidewall to the outer wall, and first and second sealmembers. The arms and the sidewall and the outer wall may defineapertures in the first endcap. The first seal member may encircle theperimeter of the endcap and may include first, second and third sealingsurfaces. The first surface configured to receive a first radiallysealing surface of the base when the base receives the container. Thesecond sealing surface may be configured to receive a container sealingsurface and the third sealing surface may be configured to receive anaxial sealing surface of the base. The second seal member may bedisposed on the top surface of the endcap and substantially extend abovea plane containing the first seal.

In an embodiment a method is disclosed of installing a filter in a fluidfilter system comprising a base, a canister, the filter comprising afirst endcap having a second bottom surface and including first andsecond annular seals, a sleeve and filter medium. The method comprisesguiding the filter into the container by positioning the second bottomsurface of the endcap proximal to an inside wall of the container,sliding the filter into the container until the first seal contacts thecontainer, fastening the container onto the base until the base engagesthe top of the endcap and a first radial seal is established between thebase and the second seal, and after the first radial seal isestablished, continuing to fasten the container onto the base until asecond radial seal is established by the first seal between the endcapand the base, and a first axial seal is established between the firstseal and the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional illustration of an exemplary fluidfilter in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary endcap of thefluid filter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an endcap ofthe fluid filter in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the endcap ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is cut away view of the endcap of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an endcap of afluid filter in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is cut away view of the endcap of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary fluid filter system 10. Fluid filtersystem 10 may include a base 12, a container 14, a filter assembly 16,and a longitudinal axis 18. Filter system 10 may be one of severalcomponents within a fluid system (not shown) and may be configured toreceive unfiltered fluid from one or more upstream components of thefluid system, trap particles suspended within the unfiltered fluid,i.e., filter the fluid, and provide filtered fluid to one or moredownstream components of the fluid system. The fluid system may includeany type of fluid system, e.g., a fuel delivery system, a lubricatingsystem, and/or a coolant system, and may or may not be operativelyassociated with an engine (not shown). Additionally, fluid filter system10 may be configured to filter any type of fluid, such as, for example,gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricating oil, water, coolant, and/or any othertype of fluid. It is contemplated that the fluid of the fluid system mayor may not be pressurized and, if so, may be at any pressure.

Base 12 may include an outer wall 20 and a mounting portion 22. Outerwall 20 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may includeinternal threads 21 configured to threadingly engage external threads 31included on container 14. Mounting portion 22 may be configured toconnect fluid filter system 10 to, for example, an engine, via one ormore bolt holes (not referenced). Base 12 may further define an inletport 24 and an outlet port 26. Inlet port 24 may be configured toreceive unfiltered fluid from one or more upstream components of thefluid system and may be configured to direct the unfiltered fluid towardfilter assembly 16. Specifically, inlet port 24 may include a generallyannular space within base 12 and with respect to longitudinal axis 18.Outlet port 26 may be configured to receive filtered fluid from filterassembly 16 and configured to direct the filtered fluid toward one ormore downstream components of the fluid system. Specifically, outletport 26 may include a generally cylindrical space with respect tolongitudinal axis 18 and may be disposed radially within inlet port 24.It is contemplated that inlet and outlet ports 24, 26 may each define aspace within base 12 having any shape and/or contour, e.g.,multifaceted.

Container 14 may include an outer wall 28 and an endwall 30. Outer wall28 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may include externalthreads 31 configured to threadingly engage internal threads 21 includedon base 12. Endwall 30 may be disposed at an end of outer wall 28opposite external threads 31. Outer wall 28 and endwall 30 may generallydefine an internal cavity configured to contain filter assembly 16. Itis contemplated that internal threads 21 and external threads 31 mayeach, respectively, extend in either a clockwise or counter-clockwisedirection. It is also contemplated that container 14 may include anyconventional drain port (not referenced) that may be configured tofacilitate draining of fluid from container 14 and/or may include anyconventional relief valve (not shown) to limit a pressure of the fluidof the fluid system. It is understood that the engagement betweeninternal threads 21 and external threads 31 and the resulting frictionalengagement therebetween are well known in the art and, thus, are notfurther described.

Filter assembly 16 may include a first endcap 32 and a filter medium 34.First endcap 32 may be disposed adjacent base 12 and may be configuredto support filter medium 34 within, and with respect to, container 14and to provide seals between base 12 and container 14 and between inletport 24 and outlet port 26, respectively. Filter medium 34 may beconfigured to trap particulates and/or other particles suspended withina fluid and may include a generally cylindrical shape disposed about andextending along longitudinal axis 18. Filter assembly 16 may alsoinclude a sleeve 36 and a second endcap 38. Sleeve 36 may include agenerally cylindrical tube disposed radially within or radially outsideof filter medium 34 and may include one or more perforations 37 thereinconfigured to allow fluid to flow therethrough, e.g, from filter medium34 to an interior space 40 (as illustrated in FIG. 1). A first end ofsleeve 36, disposed adjacent base 12, may be engaged with, i.e.,contact, first endcap 32 and a second end of sleeve 36, disposedadjacent end wall 30 of container 14, may be engaged with, i.e.,contact, second endcap 38. Second endcap 38 may be disposed adjacent endwall 30 of container 14 and may be configured to support filter medium34 within, and with respect to, container 14. It is contemplated thatsecond endcap 38 may engage an interior surface of outer wall 28 and/orend wall 30 of container 14. It is also contemplated that filter medium34 may include any filter material and/or medium known in the art, suchas, for example, fabric or other porous material, and may or may not bepleated. It is also contemplated that first and second endcaps 32, 38and sleeve 36 may be made from any suitable material, such as, forexample, a polymer or other plastic, and may be injection molded. It isfurther contemplated that perforations 37 may include any shape, size,and/or quantity and that sleeve 36 may be selectively omitted.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, first endcap 32 may include an outerseal member 42 configured to provide a fluid seal between base 12 andcontainer 14 and an inner seal member 44 configured to provide a fluidseal between inlet port 24 and outlet port 26. Specifically, firstendcap 32 may include a body having a generally ring shaped first wall46, a generally cylindrically shaped second wall 48 disposed adjacent aradially outer portion, e.g., an outer edge, of first wall 46, and agenerally cylindrically shaped third wall 50 disposed adjacent aradially inner portion, e.g., an inner edge, of first wall 46. Firstwall 46 may include a plate shape generally perpendicular to axis 18.Second and third walls 48, 50 may generally extend along, i.e., may begenerally parallel to, longitudinal axis 18 in a direction A, e.g.,toward end wall 30 of container 14. First endcap 32 may also include agenerally cylindrical flange 52 disposed between the inner and outerportions of first wall 46 and generally extending along longitudinalaxis 18 in a direction B substantially opposite direction A, e.g., awayfrom end wall 30 of container 14. First endcap 32 may also include agenerally cylindrically shaped fourth wall 54 disposed radially outwardfrom first wall 46 via a plurality of arms 56 (as more clearly shown inFIG. 2) and generally extending along longitudinal axis 18 in directionA. Arms 56 may include any shape, length, and/or quantity and may defineapertures 57, including any shape, length, and/or quantity, betweenadjacent ones thereof. First endcap 32 may also include a generally ringshaped fifth wall 58 generally extending radially outward from a firstend of fourth wall 54 in a direction generally perpendicular to axis 18.A second end of fourth wall 54 may be configured to fit within a groove60 formed within an inner surface of base 12. It is contemplated thatgroove 60 may be substantially complimentary in shape to thecircumferential shape of fourth wall 54. It is also contemplated that anaxial end of outlet port 26, disposed adjacent endcap 32, may contactfirst wall 46 at a location radially within flange 52, i.e., radiallycloser to axis 18, and may include a chamfer, a fillet, a taper on aninner and/or outer surface, and/or include any other shape configured topermit inner seal member 44 to move past the axial end of outlet port 26when, for example, an operator replaces filter assembly 16 as will bedescribed in more detail below. It is further contemplated that endcap32 may or may not be fixedly connected to filter medium 34 and/or mayinclude any apparatus configured to establish fluid seals with respectto base 12 and outlet port 26, such as, for example, an adaptorconfigured to interconnect a top-plate and/or another endcap to base 12via a threaded connection.

Outer seal member 42 may be disposed adjacent and configured to surroundthe radially outermost edge of fifth wall 58 and may be integral withfifth wall 58 and, thus, first endcap 32. Specifically, outer sealmember 42 may be configured to provide a fluid seal with respect to base12 and container 14 and, thus an external environment, as a result ofbeing compressed between an axially facing surface of base 12 and anaxially facing surface of container 14. An axial facing surface may, forexample, include a surface that is not predominantly parallel to axis18, e.g., a surface that may be generally perpendicular to axis 18.Outer seal member 42 may include a circumferential outer surface havingfirst and second portions thereof respectively configured to establishaxially facing seal interfaces with respect to, for example, the axiallyfacing surface of base 12 and the axial facing surface of container 14.In addition, base 12 may include a depression (not referenced) on aninterior surface thereof configured to be complimentary to the shape ofouter seal member 42.

Inner seal member 44 may be disposed radially inward of flange 52 andradially outward of outlet port 26 and may be integral with flange 52and, thus, first endcap 32. Specifically, inner seal member 44 may beconfigured to provide a fluid seal between inlet and outlet ports 24, 26as a result of being compressed between a radially facing inner surfaceof flange 52 and a radially facing outer surface of outlet port 26. Aradially facing surface may, for example, include a surface that is notpredominantly perpendicular to axis 18, e.g., a surface that may begenerally parallel to axis 18. Inner seal member 44 may include acircumferential outer surface having first and second portions thereofrespectively configured to engage an axially facing surface of firstwall 46 and a radially facing surface of flange 52. In addition, thecircumferential outer surface of inner seal member 44 may include athird portion thereof configured to establish a radially facing sealinterface with respect to outlet port 26. It is contemplated that flange52 may at least partially surround at least a portion of outlet port 26and inner seal member 44, respectively, such that inner seal member 44may be compressed therebetween and flange 52 may help maintain theradially facing seal interface established by inner seal member 44 byresisting movement of inner seal member 44 radially outward and awayfrom outlet port 26 that may be cause by, for example, forces generatedby fluid communicated from inlet port 24 impinging inner seal member 44.

At least a portion of inner seal member 44 may axially extend alonglongitudinal axis 18, in direction B, an axial distance greater thanouter seal member 42 may axially extend along longitudinal axis 18, indirection B. That is, at least a portion of inner seal member 44 mayextend a first axial distance C along longitudinal axis 18 from a firstend of filter medium 34 (represented as line D in FIG. 1), outer sealmember 42 may extend a second axial distance E along longitudinal axis18 from the first end of filter medium 34 (line D), and first axialdistance C may be greater than second axial distance E. Additionally, atleast a portion of inner seal member 44 may extend a first axialdistance F along longitudinal axis 18 from an axial end surface ofcontainer 14 (represented as line G in FIG. 1), outer seal member 42 mayextend a second axial distance H along longitudinal axis 18 from theaxial end surface of container 14 (line G), and first axial distance Fmay be greater than second axial distance H. As such, the axial relationbetween outer and inner seal members 42, 44 and the body of first endcap32 might improve and/or assist in directing fluid flow from inlet port24 toward openings 57 and then toward filter medium 34 while maintainingsuitable sealing between inlet and outlet ports 24, 26.

It is contemplated that both outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may begenerally cylindrically shaped about longitudinal axis 18 and mayinclude any cross sectional shape, e.g., outer seal member 42 mayinclude a substantially oval or round shape and/or inner seal member 44may include a substantially square or rectangular shape. It is alsocontemplated that outer seal member 42 may be compressed as a functionof the axial distance between the axially facing end surfaces of base 12and container 14 when threadingly engaged and that inner seal member 44may be compressed as a function of the radial distance between theradially facing inner surface of flange 52 and the radially facing outersurface of outlet port 26. It is also contemplated that outer sealmember 42 may establish axially facing seal interfaces, e.g., a sealinterface that substantially blocks fluid from flowing along an axialfacing surface, with respect to base 12 and/or container 14 as well as aradially facing seal interface, e.g., a seal interface thatsubstantially blocks fluid from flowing along a radially facing surface,with respect to base 12 and that inner seal member 44 may establishradially facing seal interfaces with respect to flange 52 and/or outletport 26 as well as being void of any axially facing seal interfaces. Itis further contemplated that inner seal member 44 may be radiallycompressed and may be axially expanded, displaced, or skewed as a resultof being radially compressed, but might not be axially compressed, i.e.,void of axial compression. It is further contemplated that outer sealmember 42 may be axially compressed with respect to base 12 at anyradial location with respect to inner seal member 44. As such, radiallycompressing inner seal member 42 might reduce manufacturing and/orassembling tolerances regarding the length and circumferential dimensionof outlet port 26 and/or endcap 32 while maintaining suitable sealingbetween inlet and outlet ports 24, 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, first endcap 32 may include a plurality of firstrecesses 62 formed within fifth wall 58. First recesses 62 may includeapertures through which outer seal member 42 may extend. First endcap 32may also include a plurality of second recesses 64 formed within flange52. Second recesses 64 may include cavities within which inner sealmember 44 may extend. Outer and inner seal members 42, 44 mayrespectively extend into first and second recesses 62, 64 during amethod of making first endcap 32. Specifically, first endcap 32 may beformed by injecting molten material into one or more first molds andallowing the molten material to solidify, i.e., formed via one or moreinjection molding processes. The shape and contour of the first moldsmay provide one or more features of the first endcap 32, such as, first,second, third, fourth, and/or fifth walls 46, 48, 50, 54, 58, flange 52,projections 56, and/or first and/or second recesses 62, 64. Within thefirst molds and/or within one or more additional molds, outer and innerseal members 42, 44 may be formed by injecting molten material into theadditional molds and allowing the molten material to solidify, i.e., viaone or more injection molding processes, to form outer and inner sealmembers 42, 44 respectively adjacent fifth wall 58 and flange 52. Assuch, the molten material of outer and inner seal members 42, 44 mayrespectively flow into first and second recesses 62, 64 and mayintegrally connect and form a connection with outer and inner sealmembers 42, 44 and the remainder of first endcap 32, respectively. It iscontemplated that first and second recesses 62, 64 may includeapertures, cavities, any quantity, any shape, and/or may or may not beevenly spaced about longitudinal axis 18. It is also contemplated thatendcap 32 may or may not fully solidify before outer and inner sealmembers 42, 44 are formed.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, first endcap 32 may also includean anti-prefill device 66 configured to reduce and/or prevent unfilteredfluid from flowing into interior space 40 during a priming process.Device 66 may include a plurality of wall portions 68 each having afirst end attached to first wall 46 and extending therefrom in directionB. First wall portions 68 may define a plurality of apertures 70 spacedbetween adjacent ones of wall portions 68. That is, wall portions 68 mayestablish a first radially facing wall having apertures 70 therein.Device 66 may also include a cap portion 74 attached to wall portions 68at ends thereof, opposite the ends attached to first wall 46. Device 66may also include a generally cylindrical wall 72 disposed radiallywithin wall portions 68 with respect to longitudinal axis 18. Wall 72may be attached at one end thereof to first wall 46 and may extend indirection B. The end of wall 72 opposite the end attached to first wall46 may be axially spaced any distance from an inner surface of capportion 74 and the radially outer surface of wall 72 may be radiallyspaced any distance from the inner radial surfaces of wall portions 68.It is contemplated that when fluid filter system 10 is assembled, device66 may extend into and may be radially surrounded by outlet port 26. Itis also contemplated that anti-prefill device 66 may be omitted, andfirst endcap 32 may alternatively include one or more aperturesconfigured to allow fluid flow from interior space 40 toward outlet port26.

An alternative embodiment of the endcap is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5.FIG. 3 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the endcap 32disposed in a container 14 attached to a base 12. Such endcap 32 mayinclude a first wall 46 (first member), a second wall 48 (sidewall), athird wall 50, a fourth wall 54 (outer wall), a plurality of arms 56, afifth wall 58 (ledge), a flange 52 and inner and outer seal members 44,42. Similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 1-2, the inner seal member 44 mayinclude a circumferential outer surface having first and second portionsthereof respectively configured to engage an axially facing surface ofendcap 32 and a radially facing surface of flange 52. FIG. 5 illustratesa cut away view of the endcap from which the plurality of secondrecesses 64 formed within flange 52 may be seen. Second recesses 64 mayinclude endcap cavities 90 within which inner seal member 44 may extend.Such extensions of seal member 44, regardless of shape may be referredto as dovetails 88.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of the endcap32. FIG. 6 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the endcap 32disposed on a container 14 attached to a base 12. This alternativeembodiment does not include the anti-prefill device seen on the otherembodiments. Such endcap 32 may include a first wall 46 (first member),a second wall 48 (sidewall), a third wall 50, a fourth wall 54 (outerwall), a plurality of arms 56, a fifth wall 58 (ledge), a flange 52, andinner and outer seal members 44, 42. In this embodiment, the inner sealmember 44 may include a circumferential outer surface having first andsecond portions thereof respectively configured to engage an axiallyfacing surface of endcap 32 and a radially facing surface of the endcap32, namely the flange 52. In this embodiment, the flange may be part ofthe endcap but, unlike the first alternative embodiment, the flange 52is not configured to extend in a direction B upward from the first wall46. FIG. 7 illustrates a cut away view of the endcap 32 from which theplurality of second recesses 64 formed within flange 52 and thedovetails 88 may be seen.

With regard to each of these alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-7,each arm 56 may be of any width and may include a fin portion 76extending in direction A. The fin portion 76 may be adjacent to secondwall 48. As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the second wall 48 may have an inneredge 78 and a second wall bottom surface 80, which may be angled orcurved. The inner edge 78 and the side of the filter medium 34 mayextend in a generally parallel relationship from the top of the side offilter medium to where the inner edge 78 intersects the second wallbottom surface 80. The fin portion 76 may also be entirely or partiallycontiguous with the second wall 48, and may also extend in the directionA from all or some of the underside 82 of the fifth wall 58. The finportion 76 may have first and second bottom surfaces 84, 86 thattogether form a first reflex angle α. The reflex angle may be less thanabout 270° but more than 180°. The arms 56 (including the fin portion76), second wall 48, fourth wall 54 and the fifth wall 58 may beseparate components joined together or may be integral with each otherand, alternatively, with the first wall 46. The arms may be evenlyspaced around the second wall 48 but do not have to be. The quantity ofarms and the spacing around the sidewall may vary.

The first bottom surface 84 of each fin portion 76 may intersect withthe second wall 48. The first bottom surface 84 may be substantiallyperpendicular to the second wall 48 or may form an acute angle with thesecond wall 48. It is also contemplated that a portion of the firstbottom surface 84 may be curved or non-linear and may not intersect thesecond wall 48 at an angle.

In an embodiment a method is disclosed of installing a filter 30 in afluid filter system 10 comprising a base 12, a canister 14, the filter30 comprising a first endcap having a second bottom surface 86 andincluding first and second annular seals 42, 44, a sleeve 36 and filtermedium 34. The method comprises guiding the filter 16 into the container14 by positioning the second bottom surface 86 of the endcap 38 proximalto an inside wall 92 of the container 14, sliding the filter 16 into thecontainer 14 until the first seal 42 contacts the container, fasteningthe container 14 onto the base 12 until the base 12 engages the top 94of the endcap 38 and a first radial seal is established between the base12 and the second seal 44, and after the first radial seal isestablished, continuing to fasten the container 14 onto the base 12until a second radial seal is established by the first seal 42 betweenthe endcap 38 and the base 12, and a first axial seal is establishedbetween the first seal 42 and the container 12. An axial seal is a sealthat is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The disposition of the innerand outer seals on the endcap helps ensure that the endcap is properlysealed against leaks. Since the inner seal is not able to be visuallyseen during sealing, it is beneficial if this seal is disposed such thatit must be fully sealed before the outer seal is fully sealed. Disposinga portion of inner seal member 44 around the first axial distance C (seeFIG. 3) from a first end of filter medium 34 (represented as line D inFIG. 3) and disposing outer seal member 42 so that it only extends tosecond axial distance E from the first end of filter medium 34 (line D),helps to ensure proper full sealing of the inner seal 44 before fullsealing of the outer seal 42.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed fluid filter system may be applicable to filter any typeof fluid and may provide a seal between a flow of unfiltered fluid and aflow of filtered fluid without requiring numerous, complex shapedcomponents and/or components requiring high manufacturing tolerances.The operation of fluid filter system 10 is explained below.

Referring to FIG. 1, fluid filter system 10 may receive unfiltered fluidinto inlet port 24, e.g., a first flow region, from one or more upstreamcomponents of a fluid system. The unfiltered fluid may flow from inletport 24 radially outward along and may be directed by first endcap 32 toflow toward apertures 57. The unfiltered fluid may flow through one ormore of apertures 57 in, for example, a substantially axial directionthrough first endcap 32, and into the radial space between container 14and filter medium 34. The unfiltered fluid may then flow generallyradially through filter medium 34 and filter medium 34 may trapparticles suspended within the unfiltered fluid to thereby filter thefluid. The filtered fluid may then flow through apertures 37 and thusthrough sleeve 36 and into interior space 40. The filtered fluid mayalso flow from interior space 40 through device 66, e.g., through wall72, into the space between wall 72 and wall portions 68, and throughapertures 70. The filtered fluid may further flow into outlet port 26,e.g., a second flow region, and toward one or more downstream componentsof the fluid system.

It may be desirable to replace filter assembly 16 because filter medium34 may be saturated with trapped particles, inner and outer seal members42, 44 may be deteriorated, a maintenance period has elapsed, and/orbecause of any other rationale known in the art. An operator mayunthread container 14 from base 12, may extract the old or used filterassembly 16 from within container 14 and may insert a new or unusedfilter assembly 16 into container 14. As such, outer and inner sealmembers 42, 44 may be unseated as the old first endcap 32 is removedwith the old filter assembly 16. The operator may insert a new filterassembly 16 into container 14 and may rethread container 14 to base 12and, as such, outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may be seated as thenew first endcap 32 aligns with base 12. It is contemplated that theoperator may remove some or all of the fluid retained within container14 in conjunction with and/or after removing old filter assembly 16. Itis also contemplated that operator may replace any one or more elementsof filter assembly 16, e.g., may replace just filter medium 34 and endcap 32 instead of replacing all elements of filter assembly 16.

The operator may prime container 14 after inserting a new filterassembly 16 and before rethreading container 14 to base 12. As such, theoperator may fill the radial space between container 14 and filtermedium 34 with fluid by, for example, pouring fluid through apertures 57and/or on the top surface of first endcap 32, e.g., the surface of wall46 facing and/or exposed to inlet port 24. The priming fluid may or maynot be filtered and device 66 may reduce and/or prevent the fluid fromentering interior space 40. Specifically, as the operator pours thepriming fluid, some of the priming fluid may flow radially outwardtoward apertures 57, through apertures 57, and into the radial spacebetween filter medium 34 and container 14. If an operator pours anexcessive volume of priming fluid through apertures 57 and thusoverfills the radial space between container 14 and filter medium 34, ifan operator does not directly pour the priming fluid through apertures57 but generally pours priming fluid onto first endcap 32, and/or as aresult of operator carelessness, e.g., splashing or splattering, some ofthe priming fluid may flow radially inward over flange 52 and/or bedeposited radially within flange 52. Such deposited fluid may flowtoward device 66, through apertures 70, and may be restrained fromflowing into interior space 40 by cylindrical wall 72.

It is contemplated that cylindrical wall 72 may axially extend fromfirst wall 46 a distance greater than a distance that flange 52 axiallyextends from first wall 46 and that apertures 57 may be axially disposedcloser to container 14 than flange 52. As such, the priming fluid mayflow radially outward over flange 52, through apertures 57, and into thespace between container 14 and filter medium 34 or overflow wall 28 ofcontainer 14 rather than overflowing cylindrical wall 72 and flowinginto interior space 40. It is also contemplated that some priming fluidmay be retained radially between flange 52 and cylindrical wall 72,which may be trapped within outlet port 26 after container 14 and filterassembly 16 are interconnected with base 12. The amount of such atrapped priming fluid might be significantly less than an amount whichmight otherwise flow into interior space 40 if device 66 was omitted. Itis further contemplated that the relative axial relation between outerand inner seal members 42, 44 may additionally assist or improve fluidflow toward apertures 57 during priming by promoting radial outwardfluid to flow from inner seal member 44 toward outer seal member 42 andresisting radial inward fluid flow from outer seal member 42 towardinner seal member 44.

As container 14 and filter assembly 16 are interconnected with base 12,outer seal member 42 may form a seal between base 12 and container 14,e.g., between fluid filter system 10 and the environment and inner sealmember 44 may form a seal between inlet port 24 and outlet port 26,e.g., between the unfiltered and filtered fluid flows. Specifically,outer seal member 42 may be positioned atop outer wall 28 and compressedas a function of container 14 being threadingly engaged with base 12 andmay, for example, be compressed between container 14 and base 12 toestablish one or more axially facing seal interfaces, e.g., a face sealagainst an axially facing surface of container 14 and/or base 12. It iscontemplated that outer seal member 42 may be compressed against eitheror both of container 14 or base 12 and that outer seal member 42 mayadditionally and/or alternatively establish a radially facing sealinterface with respect to either or both of container 14 or base 12.Additionally, inner seal member 44 may be aligned with outlet port 26and may move past an end thereof as container 14 is threadingly engagedwith base 12, may be compressed as a function of the distance betweenthe radially facing inner surface of flange 52 and the radially facingoutward surface of outlet port 26, and may, for example, be compressedtherebetween to establish a radially facing seal interface, e.g., a faceseal against a radial surface of outlet port 26.

Because outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may be integral with firstendcap 32, container 14 and filter assembly 16 may be sealed withrespect to base 12 and fluid filter system 10 may include a less complexfluid filter system. Additionally, because first endcap 32 includesdevice 66, unfiltered fluid may be reduced or prevented from flowinginto interior space 40 during priming of container 14 during filterreplacement.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed fluid filtersystem. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosedmethod and apparatus. It is intended that the specification and examplesbe considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated bythe following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter element comprising: a sleeve defining aninterior space and a sleeve axis; a filter medium surrounding thesleeve; and an endcap attached to the sleeve, the endcap including: afirst member extending across the filter medium; a sidewallsubstantially perpendicular to the first member and extending in a firstdirection to a bottom surface; an outer wall spaced apart from the firstmember and substantially parallel to the sleeve axis, the outer wallextending in a second direction away from the filter medium and oppositeto the first direction; and a plurality of arms extending from thesidewall to the outer wall, the arms and the sidewall and the outer walldefining apertures in the endcap, each arm including a fin portionextending in the first direction, the fin portion having first andsecond bottom surfaces that together form a first reflex angle, whereinthe first bottom surface of the fin portion is spaced, in the seconddirection, away from the bottom surface of the sidewall.
 2. The filterelement of claim 1, wherein the arms are perpendicular to the outerwall.
 3. The filter element of claim 1, wherein each arm is integralwith the sidewall.
 4. The filter element of claim 3, wherein the reflexangle is less than about 270°.
 5. The filter element of claim 4, whereinthe plurality of arms are evenly spaced around the sidewall.
 6. Thefilter element of claim 1, wherein the first bottom surface of each finportion intersects with and is substantially perpendicular to thesidewall.
 7. The filter element of claim 1, the endcap furthercomprising an annular ledge attached to the outer wall and having aplurality of recesses, wherein at least some of the fin portion extendsfrom an underside of the ledge.
 8. The filter element of claim 1,wherein the outer wall and arms are integral with the sidewall.
 9. Thefilter element of claim 1, the endcap further comprising: a flangedisposed adjacent to the first member and extending in the seconddirection; a ledge perpendicular to and extending from the outer wall; afirst seal member configured to receive a portion of the ledge; and asecond seal member disposed adjacent the flange and configured to have afirst radially facing seal interface with the flange.
 10. The filterelement of claim 9, wherein the second seal member is configured toestablish a second radially facing seal interface with a base when thefilter element is disposed in a container installed on the base.
 11. Thefilter element of claim 1, the sidewall comprising an inner edge and anangled bottom surface, wherein the inner edge and the filter mediumextend in a generally parallel relationship until the inner edgeintersects the angled bottom surface.
 12. The filter element of claim 1,wherein the sidewall includes an inner edge extending substantiallyparallel to the filter medium, and the bottom surface of the sidewallextends away from the inner edge at an obtuse included angle.
 13. Thefilter element of claim 1, wherein the endcap further comprises anannular ledge extending substantially perpendicularly from the outerwall, the fin portion extending along at least a portion of an undersideof the ledge in a direction substantially transverse to the firstdirection.